In a deeply disturbing case of neglect, 58-year-old Sheryl Seitz, a disabled woman, was found in horrific conditions in the garage of an Airbnb in Arvada, a suburb of Denver. First responders, initially called for a sick person, discovered her on a filthy air mattress, covered in maggots. She was rushed to a nearby hospital but succumbed to her injuries and died the following day.
An examination at the hospital revealed the extent of the suffering Sheryl had endured.
She was suffering from septic shock, had two hip fractures, a loosely connected wrist, and severe bed sores and ulcers. Tragically, maggots were found to be burrowing into her body. For the last several years of her life, Sheryl had been living in an RV located in a storage lot. The vehicle lacked running water and a proper bed, with only a space heater for warmth.
Following her death, an investigation led to the arrest of two individuals: her 36-year-old son, Brian Seitz, and his 53-year-old girlfriend, Laura Prats. The couple had been acting as Sheryl’s paid caregivers for the past six or seven years, receiving state funds through a home healthcare company for their services. They now face serious charges, including crimes against an at-risk person resulting in death. Brian Seitz faces an additional charge of tampering with physical evidence.
